CHAPTER 95: 95 DEVOTEE (THANKS TO QIUQIU, THE ALLIANCE LEADER! +3 MORE UPDATES!)

"Supreme Slash!"

"Hiss, such powerful force!"

Amidst the exclamations of the surrounding people, a dazzling golden sword aura streaked across the sky, fiercely charging toward the middle-aged Paladin opposite.

Earlier, when Herbert was making grand movements over there, the middle-aged Paladin, Garen, had not attacked.

"Such pure divine power..."

It wasn’t surprising that Herbert could perform the Supreme Slash, as this was a fundamental ability of a Paladin, and also their core in dealing damage.

Supreme Slash is a core skill of the Paladin profession, a powerful combat skill with minimal prerequisites yet capable of unleashing immense power.

It allows all attacks by a Paladin to be imbued with divine damage, and the effect of the Supreme Slash varies depending on the vows made by the Paladin.

For instance, Garen made the "Poverty Oath," and his Supreme Slash would significantly damage evil nobles and greedy merchants who gain profits through wicked means.

As for Herbert, he made the "Purity Oath," which theoretically grants special offensives against enemies like Enchanting Demons, who are full of beguiling attributes, delivering astonishing true damage to them.

Besides, there are other vows like the Ancient Vow, the Crown Vow, the Vengeance Vow, the Salvation Vow... each Paladin’s vow differs, and so do the enemies they restrain.

It seems like sending specialized Paladins to deal with specific enemies, but in reality, that’s not always the case.

Unless the power gap is too large, Paladins often don’t overthink upon witnessing evil deeds, they draw their swords on the spot.

"Defeating the enemy with ten swords versus three swords, is there any difference in the end result?"

There is none.

As long as evil is ultimately vanquished, that is enough.

Garen squinted at the boy’s movements, slightly lowering his center of gravity, gripping the longsword in his hand.

Since the beginning of this "battle," Garen had dismissed any notion of underestimation.

Although the boy opposite appeared very inexperienced in combat skills, completely a novice, his precise control over his muscles left even a veteran like Garen astounded.

"Sigh, is this what they call talent? The world indeed isn’t fair."

When Herbert executed the Supreme Slash, there wasn’t the slightest superfluous detail in his movements, perfectly echoing the demonstration I gave him earlier, flawlessly replicating it down to the finest point.

No need for thousands of practices or repeated guidance and corrections; with just one glance, he could perfectly replicate it.

This level of bodily control, even Garen, a seasoned warrior trained for decades, couldn’t completely match it.

Garen gazed at Herbert with envy in his eyes, unable to help but sigh in his heart:

"What enviable talent... a true genius, even if some time was wasted, it is not too late."

Thinking of the years wasted on Herbert made Garen somewhat indignant, prompting a desire to denounce those foolish nobles.

"What on earth were those idiots in the Albert Family thinking? Such talent wasted..."

Who could believe that a boy with such combat talent was merely a noble child engrossed in discussing art a month ago?

Truly wasteful!

You actually let such a genius delve into art!!?

With such steady hands, he was only made to paint?

If Herbert had picked up a sword a little earlier, even if he didn’t become a Paladin, he would undoubtedly be an outstanding warrior!

After Garen’s inner complaints, Herbert’s Supreme Slash charged toward him.

"But it’s also fortunate, luckily Herbert’s time was wasted, allowing him to ultimately become a Paladin."

"Because compared to his talent in the Paladin heritage, his talent in body control is negligible!"

Garen raised his sword, his expression stern as he swung it as well, shouting:

"Supreme Slash!!!"

Clang—

A sword aura, even whiter and larger in scale, was unleashed, rushing toward the golden sword aura!

In the next second, the two sword auras collided in mid-air, neutralizing each other’s power and erupting in a loud roar, raising a massive wave of air.

The surging air blasted onto the faces of those present, blowing their coats and hair aloft, and they couldn’t help but raise their hands to shield themselves.

Only Blake forgot to shield himself, staring blankly at the scene. Even as dust and sand slapped hard against his face, he did not snap out of it.

"Was that... His Highness’s doing?"

Am I still dreaming?

As Garen watched the scene before him, recalling that dazzling golden sword aura, he sighed with some emotion.

"Such extravagant favoritism..."

Before being informed by the Rusted Nail Bishop personally, Garen would never have believed the scene unfolding before his eyes.

The boy, who was at the initial tier when last seen, could now unleash power approaching the High Tier...

If not for his inexperience in wielding his power, he might have officially reached the High Tier level by now.

The power of a Paladin mainly stems from two sources: the Divine Spirit and oneself.

The favor of the Divine Spirit towards Paladins affects their prowess; the deeper the blessing after making a vow, the greater power they can unleash.

The other point relies on the Paladin’s adherence to their vows; the more strictly they adhere and the more steadfast their faith in the vow, the stronger the power they manifest.

Though it cannot be ruled out that Herbert was extremely devout in his Purity Oath, strictly maintaining both spiritual and physical purity in daily life.

His time as a Paladin has been too short, and upholding the vow takes time.

Otherwise, if someone claims they quit desires today, only to break it tomorrow and then quit again, as long as they have a moment of abstinence, could they also become a Paladin?

Thus, the true factor affecting Herbert’s power can only be the blessing of the Divine Spirit.

Herbert received undisguised favor from the Divine Spirit who blessed him.

It can be described as the ultimate glorious favor!

Owing to this favor, Herbert was able to exert High Tier power at an initial tier strength.

Garen could hardly imagine, should Herbert one day reach the High Tier or even the Legendary level... what kind of power could he wield?

Epic? Beyond Epic?

"To receive this level of favor, one could almost be called a Divine Favorer... truly enviable!"

To be honest, Garen felt a bit sour, a slight waver in his heart.

"Perhaps, I should also..."

If merely maintaining purity could grant such immense power, he even considered making one more purity vow himself.

He could maintain purity too!

After all, that part of him had gone unused for many years... why not remain like that completely?

It’s merely abstinence, right?

I can do it too!!!